Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars

Yummmmm!!!

I made these delish Peanut Butter Cheerio Bars today for my hubby...

It's Friday and I thought I'd make him a treat to munch on after the kids go to bed :)

These are made just like Rice Crispie Treats but with Cheerios instead. 

There are lots of flavor combination's you can do with this, but let me share this recipe first.

You will need:

10oz Bag of Marshmallows

1/4 Cup of Butter (half a stick)

8 Cups of Cheerios

Directions:

Melt Butter and Marshmallows in pan on the stove on medium low heat.

Once it's all melty and creamy, add the 8 cups of Cheerios.

Stir until all the Cheerio's are coated, and put them in a 9x13 pan.
Or pan of your choice.

Press down to squish them together and make the top flat.

Let them cool, and then cut into squares.

 

Then you can devour this little baby...doesn't it look good?!

With my bars, after I pressed them down in the pan, I sprinkled some Mini Reeces Pieces on top..for a little extra kicker.

Now let's talk flavor combo's...

Cheerios have so many flavors out now..

Banana, Chocolate, Honey Nut, Caramel...just to name a few.

Mix and match, or use flavored Marshmallows like Chocolate.

You can add in extras like I did with the Reeces, such as:

Chocolate Chips (white, milk, dark chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter)

Dried Cranberries

Nuts (Peanuts, Cashews, Almonds)

Cupcake Sprinkles

 M&M's

Lot's of options here guys...you make them as plain as you'd like or get crazy with it and make up some real flavorful treats!

These are so easy and quick to make.

Enjoy!

Blueberry Muffins w/ Cinnamon Sugar Streusel Topping

Ooooohhhh Ahhhhhhhhh!

Yep that's right...Are you drooling yet?

You should be, cause these Blueberry Muffins are to die for!

My husband bought a ton of Blueberries...About 20 lbs!

We've been munching on them like crazy, but I wanted to make some muffins for my boys and my hubby to take to work.

I thought I'd share the recipe with you :) 

So here it goes:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour

3/4 White Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

1 Egg

 1/3 Cup Milk

1 Cup Fresh Blueberries

Cinnamon Sugar Streusel Topping Ingredients:

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1/3 All Purpose Flour

1/4 Cup Butter, Cubed

1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 Degrees F. Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.
2. Combine 1 1/2 C Flour, 3/4 C Sugar, Salt and Baking Powder.  Place Vegetable Oil into a 1 Cup Measuring Cup; add the egg and enough milk to fill the cup.  Mix this with the flour mixture.  Fold in Blueberries.  Fill 12 standard muffin cups 1/2 to 3/4 full.
3. Make Streusel Topping: Mix together 1/2 C Sugar, 1/3 C Flour, 1/4 C Butter, and 1 1/2 t Cinnamon.  Mix with a fork, and sprinkle over muffins before baking.
4. Bake in Oven for 20-25 or until done.

These were so simple and fast to make but they look like they took forever!

So go impress your friends and family and make some of these delicious Fresh Blueberry Muffins with Cinnamon Sugar Streusel Topping :)

Have a great day! 

*This recipe is from allrecipes.com*

Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce

I just made this delicious Homemade Nacho Cheese Sauce and it was so simple with few ingredients. 

I must share this recipe with you!

I found it on Pinterest HERE 

So here is the recipe:

4oz of Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese

4oz of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 12oz Can of Evaporated Milk

1 Tablespoon of Corn Starch

2 Teaspoons of Hot Sauce

Pinch of Salt
 

Directions:

In Sauce Pan combine all the ingredients but only using 1 Cup of the Evaporate Milk, saving the rest for later if needed. 

Stir constantly with a whisk on Medium Low Heat until thick and bubbly.

If you feel it needs to be less thick, then you need to add more Evaporated Milk  now.

Last but not least, pour it in a bowl and get to dip'n!!

This is so tasty, easy, inexpensive and much healthier than Canned Nacho Cheese Sauce.

My kids even loved it!

So here is the changes that I made to the recipe:

I used Pepper Jack and Colby Cheese cause that's what I had on hand.

I also added 4 tsp of Frank's Red Hot Sauce instead of 2...and if my kids weren't eating it I probably would've added more.

Enjoy!!!

Salsa Chicken

I found this recipe on Pinterest HERE

If you follow me on Pinterest then you will see the recipe on my board

Why this recipe caught  my attention:

• It just sounds fabulous
• It's a Crock Pot Meal
• Simple and Few Ingredients

BAM!  I'm love'n it

I thru it in the Crock Pot this morning and it turned out FABULOUS

Here is the Ingredients/Directions:

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (uncooked)
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup (I used the cream of mushroom)
1 cup salsa
1 package taco seasoning (I used 1 Tbsp of Taco Seasoning)
1 cup sour cream
Shredded Cheese and/or Diced Green Onion/Chive (Optional)

I also added a pinch of Garlic Salt to my Chicken

DIRECTIONS:

Put chicken, soup, and salsa in slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning over everything. Cook on low for 6 hours. If shredding the chicken, pull the breasts out and shred, return back to slow cooker, or just shred the chicken in the Crock Pot (that's what I did, one less dish to wash). Stir in sour cream and heat just until everything is combined.

SO EASY!

I then made some instant White Rice and put the Salsa Chicken over the top, so delish.

As a side dish I decided to make Mint Black Beans

This is such a simple tasty dish, great for summer nights.

Here's the instructions for the beans:

• 2 15 ounce cans  black beans, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup chopped mint

Rinse and drain Black Beans and add them to a Saucepan along with the Mint, and Lime Juice.

Heat until they simmer and your done.  

So quick!  And they are so refreshing!

For this meal, I split the Mint Bean Recipe in half, two cans of beans would be too much for my family.

 

I recommend this recipe, it was very good, very easy and inexpensive.

The beans would probably be great mixed in the Chicken and Rice but I'm not one to mix my food..Yes I'm weird like that :)

Those Green Onions came from my garden!
I just love adding fresh veggies from the garden into my meals.
The Mint was fresh from my Sisters garden...Thanks Sis!
 
Have a great day!!

DIY Pudding Pops

So it's Popsicle season...

We go thru a ton of them...

It's out of control....

It's like crack for kids..

Yes I just said crack...

SO...

I decided that I would make my own.

I'm sick of buying them..and I have all the stuff at home to make them :)

So I did.

Here's what you need...

Ready for this..

Instant Pudding, Popsicle Molds, and Milk

I know I know..this is just to difficult...NOT

So...Easy..I could just kick myself for not doing it sooner!

My youngest loves the Chocolate Fudge Pops, so I went with Chocolate

Enlist in a helper...Here's mine, isn't he adorable?!

See him eye ball'n that pudding...oh yeah, he was ready to pounce!

Mix according to package directions..

Pudding mix + 2 Cups of Milk

I mixed with a whisk and didn't wait for it to fully set.

I figured it would be easier to fill up the molds if it wasn't fully set.

Next I plopped them in the freezer and played the waiting game.

All that hard work paid off!  I huge bowl of left over pudding..

Oh yeah baby!

4 hours later....after lunch we were ready to give them a shot!

GOING...

GOING...

GONE!

Seriously guys, this was the easiest thing ever!

And it was perfect making them in the morning because they were ready to eat after lunch!

I want to try a White Chocolate Pudding or Cheesecake Pudding next..

Doesn't that sound yummers?!!

Have a great weekend!

Frozen Yogurt Dots

I saw these on Pinterest yesterday and thought..."Ugh, why didn't I think of that???!!"

SO easy...SO nutritious...SO yummy!

I love stuff like this!

Here's what you do...

Line a cookie sheet with Wax Paper

Take some yogurt, pour it in a baggie or piping bag. 

And pipe little dots on the cookie sheet.

Plop the tray in the freezer for about an hour.

Done!

Enjoy!

Jump up and down cause your kids love you and think you're the coolest!

Kid Tested...Mother approved!

This is what I picture he's thinking..
"Really Mom..more pics!? Can't I eat in peace??"

SO...what are you waiting for? 

Go make some Frozen Yogurt Dots!

Happy Crafting!

Easy Monkey Bread

Ohhhhhh yeah! 

Check out that oooey gooey goodness!

All that can be yours...and I'm going to show you how with just a few easy steps :)

Let's get this party started!

Here's What You Need:

4 Pack of Refrigerator Biscuits (10oz)

1/2 Cup of Sugar

1/2 Cup of Brown Sugar

3/4 Cup of Butter

1-2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon *optional*

Bundt Pan

Start by Preheating your Oven to 350 degrees

Next lightly spray your Bundt Pan with Cooking Spray.

Get a Gallon Size Ziploc Bag and add your Sugars and Cinnamon.

Take your biscuits and with clean kitchen scissors cut them all in half

and put the cut biscuits in the Ziploc with the sugars and shake it up.

Then transfer the biscuits into Bundt Pan.

I did one package of biscuits at a time..cut them, then put them in the baggie, tossed them, then put them in the Bundt Pan, and then repeated with the next roll of biscuits.

Here they are in the pan all coated with the sugars 

Next take your butter, pop it in the microwave and melt it...once melted add the sugar that was left in the Ziploc to the butter and mix it up.

You could do this on the stove top too if you'd prefer.

Once incorporated, drizzle on top of the biscuits.

Pop it in the oven for about 30 minutes.

Or until golden brown and no longer doughy in the center.

 

Once it's done, take it out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes.

Then put a plate over the top of the Bundt Pan, and flip it upside down.

Isn't that gorgeous!

Let me tell you...everyone will LOVE this!

Perfect for brunches, holiday's, or a nice Sunday breakfast...

Have the kids join in the fun, and let them shake the biscuits in the bag, they'll love it!

Enjoy!

Easy Cherry Cobbler

Need an easy dessert recipe???

WANT a tasty dessert recipe???

I have just the one for you....it's hot, sweet and tasty!

Cherry Cobbler

Here's what you need:

 

Two Cans of Cherry Pie Filling (or any other fruit flavor) 

1 Box of White Cake Mix

1 Stick of Butter

Slivered Almonds (optional)

Here's what you do:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Put room temperature butter and 1/2-3/4 of the cake mix into a mixing bowl.

Mix until it resembles crumbs..like shown in pic above.

Add both cans of fruit into a casserole dish (mine is 9x13)

Add the cake/butter mixture on top of the cherries.

I like to layer just enough to where I don't see the cherries anymore.

Which is why I don't use the whole package of cake mix, it's just too much.

Add slivered almonds...if you don't like almonds omit this step :)

Put in the oven for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown

Here it is....I know I know..it's fabulous..all bubbly and golden to perfection!

Now listen..it'll be difficult..but you must let it cool for a few minutes!

It comes out piping hot, and I speak from experience...waiting is best lol :)

This is a great dessert for these cold winter nights.  

Just toss it in the oven while you're eating dinner.

This would also be great for work potlucks, book clubs, etc...

Enjoy!

All Natural Banana Sorbet

Good Morning!

Ok Ladies...if you like banana's, and eating healthy then is recipe is for you!

Banana Sorbet..the easiest desert on the planet!  

All you need is:

BANANA'S!!!

I used 6 banana's...4 large and two small...cause that's what I had.

Peel and slice.

I put some Wax Paper on a cookie sheet and put the banana's on the cookie sheet in a single layer.

Now pop them in the freezer for about 2 hours.  You want them to be totally frozen.

I did this in the morning and then left them in there until later in the day when I had time to finish.

Next put them in a food processor..I used my Ninja..

Not this kind of Ninja...although it would be nice to have one handy LOL :)

This Ninja...this thing is Ah-mazing!! LOVE IT :)

Now..when you are puree-ing the banana's...at first it will look like a lot of crumbs...

Scrape down the sides and keep blending...soon it will turn into creamy heavenly goodness!

(I had to steal this pic from google cause I ate all the sorbet before I could take a pic..sorry)

Serve right away or put it in a container in the freezer.

It is so DELISH!

My husband and kids loved it...and it's so easy, all natural, quick, and healthy.

So as I'm sitting on the couch eating it...my husband starts talking about all the things you can put on it...you know to make it not healthy and natural any more LOL :)

But it got my wheels turning...You could put Caramel Sauce on top, maybe with some nuts...or Chocolate Sauce.

Any who, I like it just the way it is, but I am tempted to try some Caramel Sauce on it..YUMMERS!

So here's a recap:

6 Ripe Banana's 

Sliced on a cookie sheet

Placed in freezer until frozen at least 2 hours

Put in Food Processor

Dished into a bowl

Slip into heavenly bliss

This will easily serve 4 people.

 

Have a great day!

Hot Wing Dip

This dip is off the hook...that is if you are Hot Wing Luv'a

So this week a new follower joined my blog.

Her name is Krista and her blog is

The Not So Desperate Chef Wife

When I went to her blog the first recipe I saw was this dip and I knew I had to try it..

needless to say, I am now a follower of her blog cause she has some awesome recipes :)

So here is what you need:

1 12.5 oz can of Chicken in water

1/2 cup of Ranch Dressing

1/2 Cup of Franks Red Hot Sauce

1 package of Cream Cheese

3/4 Cup of Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Mix chicken and hot sauce in sauce pan.

Add Ranch.

Add Cream Cheese..once that is melted add the Cheddar.

Mix until fully melty and gooey.

Done!

You can serve with Tortilla Chips, Crackers, Celery, you name it.

You can also add crumbled Blue Cheese on top..hmmm so yummy!

Any who, here is the Link to Krista's dip so you can see how she does hers, and all her topping ideas and such.

Thanks for sharing Krista, and thank you for joining Crafty Soccer Mom :)

I'd love to stay and chat but I have to get back to that dip!

Happy New Year!

Candy Cane Hearts

Candy Cane Hearts

Aren't these adorable??

A beautiful tasty treat for all ages!

What you will need to make these cuties:

Chocolate Chips (Milk, Dark, White, Semi Sweet..what ev)

Mini Candy Canes

Peppermint Extract

First things first...spray a cookie sheet lightly with some cooking spray..

then put a piece of Wax Paper on top of the cookie sheet.

The cooking spray helps keep the Wax Paper in place.

Now unwrap the Mini Candy Canes and put them onto your cookie sheet using two candy canes to make a heart.

Reserve a few and put them in a baggie and hit them with a spoon to crush them up into little tiny bits.

Melt your Chocolate and add about 1/2 Teaspoon-3/4 Teaspoon of Peppermint Extract.

You can add a tablespoon of Oil to the Chocolate to make it more pourable.

NOW..I first tried to spoon the chocolate into the hearts..they looked ugly...soooooo

I put the melted Chocolate in a pastry bag and squeezed the chocolate inside the hearts and it worked perfectly..to each her own...use what technique works best for you :)

After filling all your hearts with Chocolatey Goodness...sprinkle your crush candy cane on top.

Put the cookie sheet in the refrigerator and let the chocolate set...I'd say to be safe..30 minutes-an hour.

I put them on one of my red plates as shown above..the plan was to put my Homemade Peppermint Bark in the middle there :)

These are definitely a crowd pleaser, their cute, decorative, fun to eat and tasty to boot!

Happy Holidays 

and 

Happy Crafting!

Italian Parmesan Roasted Garbanzo Beans

Italian Parmesan Roasted Garbanzo Beans

This is such a yummy quick snack that is also healthy.

Great snack for the kids, for a party or to package up as a gift.

Here's how to make this tasty treat:

Ingredients...

1 Can of Garbanzo Beans (Chick Pea's)

1 Tablespoon of Italian Powder Marinade Seasoning (or powdered dressing)

1 Tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (I've used regular too)

1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese (Optional)

Salt to taste

You'll need one can of Garbanzo Beans A.K.A. Chick Peas

Rinse your beans and lay them out on some paper towels and get them good and dry.  After drying mine off, I left them on a dry paper towel while the oven heated up to 400 degrees.

Now you need 1 Tablespoon of seasoning..this is where you can really spice it up and make it your own.  

The key is to use a powder flavoring such as: BBQ Dry Rub, Powdered Marinade (comes in lots of flavors), Powdered Salad Dressing Flavors such as Ranch or Italian.

I used what I had in the cupboard...Italian Marinade Seasoning.

Toss beans with 1 Tablespoon of EVOO and 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning

 A dash or two of salt

Now spread them out on a baking sheet.

I covered my baking sheet with foil for easy clean up :)

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 35-40 minutes..or until crunchy.

 Making sure to toss half way through.

If you choose to add the Parmesan Cheese (which I highly recommend), add the cheese during the tossing process half way through the cooking time.

What you are left with are these yummy crunchy Italian Parmesan Roasted Garbanzo Beans!

These were kid tested...Mother approved!

You can get super creative with the seasoning and this is a very cost effective snack, I'd say it cost around $1 total to make :)

Have a great day!!

White Chocolate Toffee Popcorn

White Chocolate Toffee Popcorn

Totally easy and yummy!

This is the perfect thing for a last minute gift, for a party treat, football Sunday, Birthday parties, baby showers..need I go on??? :)

Let's get started:

I got a bag of Butter Toffee Popcorn ($1) or you could use Caramel Corn or Regular Popcorn, 

a bag of Gourmet mixed nuts ($1), then I used some White Chocolate Chips and Food Coloring (optional)

I lined a big cookie sheet with Wax Paper and poured out the bag of Toffee Popcorn

Then I poured out the bag of Gourmet Mixed Nuts evenly over the Popcorn

Are you still with me? I mean we're like 10 seconds into this and almost done :)

 

Next I melted the White Chocolate Chips in the microwave until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.  I then added Food Coloring to the melted chocolate (totally optional).  With a fork I then drizzled the Pink chocolate over the Popcorn/Nut mix.

Put it in the fridge for a few minutes.

Take out, mix it up, and drizzle more chocolate.

Put in the fridge for a few minutes so the chocolate sets and you are done!

Put it in a nice bowl and enjoy!

Now here's where it can get really fun!...

You can color coordinate the Mix with your event using the food coloring!

i.e. Christmas, drizzle red and green colored melted chocolate...or for football Sunday make team colored chocolate :)  

You can drizzle Dark or Milk Chocolate with the White Chocolate..

You can add different things to the mix, such as toffee bits, specific types of nuts, M & M's...you name it..what ever tickles your fancy!

Have a great day Ladies!

and..

Happy Crafting!!

Easy Lemon Bars

Easy Lemon Bars

Ok...First of all I love Lemon Bars..I mean who doesn't? 

I'm also a fan of these recipes that require just one box of cake mix and one other ingredient and that's it!

Such as my Pumpkin Spice Muffins I posted HERE

I have another recipe for a super easy cobbler I will post soon...stay tuned for that one.

But let's get back to these super duper easy Lemon Bars shall we?

Let's get started!

Here's the ingredients..Lemon Pie Filling and Angel Food Cake Mix..

I KNOW I KNOW! Craziness huh? I bet I have your attention now :)

It helps to have a handsome young man to help you too...say hello to my little friend..buwhahahahaha

otherwise known as my oldest son :)

Ok, back to the bars...so my assistant threw both the ingredients into the mixer...and we mixed away on low until it was all mixed together.

Then I put the batter in a 9x13 pan..and oops forgot to add cooking spray..but it didn't matter, cause they didn't stick..YES! Love'n this recipe even more!!

I put them in the oven at 350 degree's for 35-40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Yummmmmmmmm...I sprinkled some Powdered Sugar on top and waited for them to cool down..

Ok, I couldn't wait for it to cool down, I just had to dip into them even though they were smoke'n hot!

So this was WAY easy..so perfect for any event, work potlucks, dinner parties, or just because.

I think next time I'll kick it up a bit and add some Fresh Lemon Zest too :)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!